Inverters enable flow to be controlled efficiently and cost effectively. In the water industry, they are used in the following areas amongst others.
Water supply:
* Drinking water treatment.
* Water booster systems.
* Surface water (weirs, dams, irrigation).
* Seawater desalination systems.
* Swimming pools.
* Industrial water.
* Pumped storage power stations.
* Marine and offshore industry.
Wastewater treatment:
* Effluent treatment.
* Sludge treatment.
* Biogas recovery.
By way of example, the following applications can be realised in practice with the following measures.
Pumps in the water treatment industry
Every day, large quantities of rainwater and effluent flow from domestic properties to wastewater treatment systems. About 20 hours later, this water can be re-dispensed with excellent quality. Hundreds of drives are used in the process. In addition to the transportation of water and effluent sludge by means of pumps, oxygen must be introduced into the water in order to promote the cleaning process. Further drives set screens and scrapers in motion.
The use of inverters enables the deployment of optimally controlled variable speed drives which guarantee that the cleaned water is of consistently high quality. At the same time, energy costs can be significantly reduced.
Sluice gate control
Another challenge is the safe movement of heavy loads, such as those which occur with sluice gates. Here, inverters with a high overload capability which can respond to changing water levels and counteract high breakaway torques must be used.
Similar criteria also apply to the control of floodgates which are used to control the water flow by diverting it via dams or discharge channels.
Swimming pools
According to law, the water in a swimming pool must be continuously circulated and filtered. However, the volume flow can be reduced to half, outside of the opening hours. Here, a frequency converter can be used to control the pump. The fact that the pump only runs at a fraction of the maximum power during this time results in high energy savings.
Also, the pump does not have to be operated at maximum power during the opening times. Only the backwashing of the filter should be carried out at high speed.
In this case, the frequency converter can be automatically switched off using the ‘switch motor to mains operation’ function and the motor operated directly from the mains.
More movement on the market
Motion Control & Drives
If you want to move something, you have to be able to control the movement. When positioning in the nanometre range everything matters and requires high performance motion control. Six years ago, Aerotech therefore set itself the goal of revolutionising the market for precision motion and machine control systems.
Read more...Highly customisable robotic hand
Motion Control & Drives
NSK and the German Aerospace Centre are developing a robotic hand system that will help automate manual tasks. The concept centres on a customisable robot hand comprising individually configurable finger modules, an industry first.
Read more...Electrically-operated diaphragm pumping solutions Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
BMG has extended its range of Ingersoll Rand ARO fluid handling products to include the new EVO series electric diaphragm pumps, designed to enhance energy efficiency and improve fluid handling productivity.
Read more...Grease degradation diagnosis technology
Motion Control & Drives
NSK is developing a world-first: a high-accuracy way of rapidly and accurately diagnosing the remaining life of lubricant grease. The company will provide the solution as a mobile app, enabling users to perform the onsite analysis of lubricant condition in bearings and linear motion systems.
Read more...New compact VFDs with higher power ratings
Motion Control & Drives
Invertek Drives has revealed the extension of its industry-leading Optidrive Coolvert variable frequency drive with the launch of two new compact frame sizes with higher power ratings.
Read more...Revolutionising manufacturing: the impact of machine learning in robotics
Motion Control & Drives
The integration of machine learning (ML) into robotics has the potential to revolutionise many industries, in particular the manufacturing sector. Yaskawa South Africa is at the forefront of embracing this transformative technology to optimise innovation and propel the manufacturing industry forward.
Read more...Chain hoist friction clutch tester WIKA Instruments
Motion Control & Drives
WIKA’s FRKPS chain hoist test set is a reliable and efficient way to test the friction clutch on your chain hoist.
Read more...Why artificial intelligence matters in robotic technology
Motion Control & Drives
Andrew Crackett, managing director of Yaskawa Southern Africa, gives his insight into the role of AI in robotics technology, with its advantages and challenges, and makes predictions for the future.
printer friendly version